BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to snowmobiles. More specifically, the invention is a snowmobile support caddy for movably supporting or transporting snowmobiles.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Snowmobiles are frequently stored in garages and there is a need to be able to move the snowmobile around without having to start the snowmobile. Many devices have been designed in an effort to address this need but they tend to require more than one person to place the snowmobile on the storage or transporting apparatus. These previously known devices also tend to require a substantial amount of storage space, are not compact, and are difficult to construct and disassemble.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,078 issued to Stoick on Jan. 14, 1975 shows a snowmobile support apparatus comprising a support dolly for lifting and supporting the rear end of a snowmobile. The Stoick snowmobile support apparatus also requires a separate dolly to support the front of the snowmobile. Because two dollies are required to support the snowmobile, one person could not place a snowmobile on both dollies conveniently.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,378 issued to Puls on Aug. 15, 1995 discloses a snowmobile lift dolly that includes a support frame on three casters and a lifting mechanism to lift and support the skies of the snowmobile. A second support frame must be utilized for the rear end of the snowmobile. The snowmobile lift dolly of Puls only supports the front of the snowmobile. While the rear end of the snowmobile must be dealt with separately. This dolly is not very convenient; does not support the entire snowmobile; and makes maneuvering the snowmobile while located on the dolly difficult.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,498 issued to Beaudet et al. on May 27, 1997 describes a three-piece snowmobile dolly system consisting of one piece for supporting the rear end of the snowmobile, and two identical pieces for supporting each of the skies located on the front of the snowmobile. However, two or more people are needed to get the snowmobile onto the three dollies taught by Beaudet, wherein the snowmobile operator must maneuver the skies onto the two dollies, while another individual maneuvers the third dolly under the rear end of the snowmobile.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,740 issued to Johnson et al. on May 6, 1975 describes a wheeled snowmobile storage pallet. The pallet of Johnson is a generally T-shaped fixed dimensioned structure with four caster wheels. Johnson's pallet is neither adjustable nor dismantleable for compact storage, and does not fit any size snowmobile.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,959 issued to Haffner on Aug. 5, 1975 discloses a snowmobile dolly which has a two-frame structure that includes a ramp, a means for supporting snowmobile tracks and caster wheel assemblies. The Haffner snowmobile dolly is neither adjustable nor dismantleable for compact storage, and does not fit snowmobiles of varying sizes.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,087 issued to Morrison on Sep. 8, 1981 shows a snowmobile support dolly which has a pair of two-wheeled H-frame dollies and a caster wheeled H-framed track dolly for supporting the steering skis and drive track, respectively, of the snowmobile. The dolly of Morrison has three wheels, one which is a pivotable caster wheel assembly. However, a three-wheel dolly is not as sturdy as a four-wheel support apparatus. Also, the dolly taught in Morrison cannot be easily disassembled and stored, and is not adjustable for supporting snowmobiles of varying sizes.

[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The adjustable snowmobile caddy according to the invention is designed to permit a snowmobile to be driven onto the caddy and thereafter conveniently moved in a garage or other area having a substantially flat surface. The snowmobile caddy is easily maneuvered when in use, and can be readily disassembled and stored when not in use. A single individual can place a snowmobile on the snowmobile caddy without assistance.

[0014] The snowmobile caddy is constructed of all steel tubing, preferably telescoping steel tubing, which makes the snowmobile caddy adjustable to fit snowmobiles of various sizes. The snowmobile caddy is also easily dismantled for compact storage. In a preferred embodiment the snowmobile caddy comprises a foot break to prevent the snowmobile from rolling away. A snowmobile may be easily driven onto and off of the snowmobile caddy, thus making it possible for a single person to utilize the caddy.

[0015] The snowmobile caddy has four 3″ steel caster wheels which are very sturdy, and make it very easy to move a snowmobile on the snowmobile caddy around in a garage. The apparatus of this invention permits one person to move the snowmobile around without difficulty. Also, the design of the snowmobile caddy keeps the skids of the snowmobile from scratching any surfaces because there is no need to scoot the snowmobile around.

[0016] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an easy and convenient means for moving and storing a snowmobile.

[0017] It is another object of the invention to provide a snowmobile caddy that can be easily constructed and dismantled by one person.

[0018] It is a further object of the invention to have a snowmobile caddy that permits one person to place the snowmobile on the snowmobile caddy.

[0019] Still another object of the invention is to provide a snowmobile caddy that can be easily stored without taking up a lot of excess space.

[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.